SIU Concludes Toronto Firearm Death Investigation

Other News Releases Related to Case 10-TFD-226

Witness Assistance

Mississauga (29 March, 2011) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to charge any officers of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) with a criminal offence in regards to the death of 28-year-old Amit Krishna of Toronto in October of last year. The SIU assigned five investigators and three forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of this incident.

The apartment scene was processed and recorded by the SIU. Photographs were taken and the apartment was video recorded. Measurements were taken and a scale drawing was produced. Seized evidence included five spent cartridge cases, a damaged projectile and a machete knife. The officers’ service pistols were seized for examination, along with their uniforms and use of force options. A number of civilian witnesses present in the apartment at the time of the shooting were interviewed, as were several witness officers.

On October 23, 2010 two TPS officers went to an apartment at 200 Dufferin Street to arrest Mr. Krishna on an outstanding warrant. They were permitted entrance into the apartment by a relative of Mr. Krishna. The two officers approached Mr. Krishna’s bedroom which was in complete darkness. Mr. Krishna was found under the covers on the bed, and was escorted out of the bedroom into the living room area. The officers told him why they were there and asked him if he wanted to wear different clothing before he was taken into custody. With the subject officer behind, the witness officer followed Mr. Krishna to his bedroom. After apparently reaching into a bag for clothing, Mr. Krishna pulled out a machete knife and lunged at the witness officer. A struggle ensued and Mr. Krishna landed a glancing blow with the machete to the left side of the witness officer’s head. The subject officer discharged his police issued firearm at Mr. Krishna. The post-mortem report received by the SIU on March 18, 2011 confirmed that Mr. Krishna sustained a number of fatal gunshot wounds.

Director Scott said, "In my view, the subject officer was justified in the use of lethal force – he saw the witness officer in immediate jeopardy of grievous injury or death as a result of the knife attack by Mr. Krishna. Accordingly, the subject officer was justified in responding with the use of his firearm, causing the death of Mr. Krishna."

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation

depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid